We got invited to a wedding celebration party (couple got married by JP a few weeks ago) via a formal invitation which stated "Cocktail Buffet" at the bottom of the invite. The party is being held at the bride's parent's home in Bethesda (fairly ritzy area of DC for those unfamiliar) starting at 6pm on a Saturday. What should guests wear? I was thinking a nice regualr dress that can easily be dressed up with the fabulous custome jewelry that's all the rage these days, heels; hubby in coat and tie but not matching suit. Or, do you think this maybe calls for a cocktail dress??? Thanks for any guidance!

I think it's sort of hard to tell. The Cocktail Buffet wording to me indicates that it will be a hor'douvers and not a full dinner buffet and that since it starts at 6 they expect the event to be over by 8pm or so.

But I can't imagine your dress plans would not be appropriate. In my city, the men would most likely be in a sports jacket and no tie, but we are probably a little less formal.

I'm with rose red. I would go with a cocktail dress/LBD/something not what I would wear to church or work. For men I would advise an actual suit (maybe with a more casual colorful tie), but I am not familiar with that area and what the standards might be. Have fun!

I think it's likely closer to a cocktail party attire than informal, but it is kind of vague. As a guy, I'd wear a jacked, nice darker slacks, and have a tie available, either in a pocket or in your purse if there were room.

The phrases "wedding celebration", "formal invitation" and "Cocktail Buffet" point to cocktail attire.

It's a wedding celebration so I tend to think that's on the dressier side anyway. Plus they sent a formal invitation instead of something more casual. Then they seal the deal by using the word "cocktail" for the food.

The only thing that's a bit weird is the early start time. But I'd still go in cocktail attire.

Starts at 6pm -- no indication on length. I assumed lasting until 10 or 11. ??At the home of the bride's parents, residential areahosted by both sets of parents"The celebration of their marriage"'Cocktail Buffet' --- I assumed this to be buffet dinner...not heavy food, not just appetizers, but a meal since starts at 6pmFormal invite as in it is on card stock, but fairly basic.

I dont think I'm going for a LBD, probably a slight step less informal than that. Like, I think a simple/fairly plain LBD would be fairly appropropriate, but nothing more. I'm going for a nice black dress with some sparkly jewelry and nice black heels. Good? I hope. Sorry, just really want to avoid having to purchase anything, and I would need to purchase a LBD (everything I have is dated and shows too much of my new, post kids body ).

I think women have it easier on these in-betweeny things than men do. It's just so much easier to put together an outfit and adjust it when you get there.

I'd go with a very basic solid-color/dark dress or dress "suit" (if you are like me and hard to fit in a one-piece), and then go all out with hair, shoes and jewellry. If you can pull it off, you could also do something with a strappy or strapless dress and wear a jacket/shrug/shawl that can be taken off if it looks like bare shoulders are the way to go.